History and Past Activities
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History and Past Activities |
Halldor Stefansson
European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
Science and the Industry of Anti-aging
In this paper I argue that the common quest for immortality in the flesh has ‘heated up’ in our era, where the pursuit of health and the relief of suffering are treated as the highest of all social values. People have always been fascinated by the possibility of extending the length of the human lifespan. But during most of documented history, this has been the purview of ascetics, alchemists, poets and philosophers. In recent times, average life expectancy has risen dramatically in the wealthier parts of the world, and new players (geriatrists, gerontologists, psycho-gerontologists, bio-gerontologists, etc.) have arisen on the social scene experts in the specific natures, needs and desires of the new ‘immortals’, the members of the present-day third and the fourth age.
Most briefly stated, anti-aging medicine and the accompanying market of remedies have a long history in many parts of the world. These biomedical and commercial sectors have been a part of popular cultures through which a great variety of information and commodities relevant to aging and longevity have been widely disseminated and publicized. Proponents of anti-aging everywhere advocate miraculous healing powers and life-enhancing properties of various ‘fountains of youth’: special waters from natural sources, foods, vitamins, minerals, hormones, chemicals, and spirituality that are offered to as purchasable commodities. Anti-aging has grown into a multi-billion dollar/Euro market.
Sociology of Science and Technology NETwork - last update: April 2006